one another, assault one another, and harm one another, saying, “This is jealousy for the sake of the Truth.” Yet it is nothing but transgression of His limits, injustice toward His servants, and obstruction of His path. It also likens the Most High Truth to a woman or a beardless youth over whom wicked men jealously compete because of the limited nature of the object of their attachment—quite apart from the association of partners with Allah involved. This stems from seeking corruption and supremacy on earth, and from seeking to be alone in worshipping Allah—not for Allah’s sake, but to gain ascendancy on earth. It thus belongs to arrogance and envy, resembling the sin of Iblīs, Pharaoh, and the brother of Adam’s son. It is not among the deeds of ordinary people, let alone the believers among them, much less Allah’s God-fearing allies.

For this reason, we find that such people are among the least jealous when Allah’s sacred limits are violated. Believers suffer at their hands, while polytheists are left at ease. This is the opposite of Allah’s description of the believers:

“Firm against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves.” (Sūrat al-Fath, 29)

He also says:

“Humble toward the believers, mighty against the disbelievers.” (Sūrat al-Māʾidah, 54)

Their conduct resembles that of the Khawārij, of whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

“They kill the people of Islam and leave the idolaters alone.”